Several sources exist for people with depression

Jim MayMidland Reporter-Telegram

Published 7:00 pm, Friday, April 25, 2008

By Jim May

DEAR FAMILY: I am writing in response to "Cursed's" letter printed in your column in the Reporter-Telegram. Her letter has been on my mind. I agree wholeheartedly with your advice. Being diagnosed with depression does not mean you are "crazy." I would like to tell you and your readers about an organization - the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). We have a local chapter and support group to help those that feel hopeless, lost, and overwhelmed. For contact information; please call Judith Craig at 683-3648 or Roy Hearon at 687-0878.

On an extremely personal note, I would be interested in meeting this "minister." My mother suffered from bipolar disorder and was under a psychiatrist's care for 25 years and she was a devout Christian. He says "the sins of the father will be passed on to them until they fully repent." And "true believers are never depressed because depression is a lack of faith in God." The great prophet Elijah suffered from depression, yet God used him to do miraculous things. In 1 Kings 18:20-40, Elijah witnessed God's victory on Mount Carmel by destroying the 450 prophets of Baal, yet in the very next chapter when he heard Jezebel was intent on killing him, he ran for his life. In Chapter 19:4, Elijah asked God to take his life. Elijah falls asleep under a broom tree. An angel touches him and says eat and sleep again. He does not chastise him saying "why don't you do things right?" He touches him. Elijah eats and sleeps then he continues his journey. After all he witnessed God do on the Mount, he was still frightened and depressed.

When Jesus died on the cross the curtain of the temple was torn into from top to bottom. That gave us complete access to the throne room of the Father. If the blood of Jesus does not cover us once and for all; we would all be re-baptized daily. To steal someone's life and hope with false teachings is wrong.

I am praying this helps "Cursed" and others find hope, friendship and love. Never discriminate or judge. Thank you for your column; it is an avenue for people to feel safe and secure finding advice and concern. - IN HIS LOVE

DEAR LOVE: Thank you for sharing your experience and your words of wisdom on depression. There is hope for all suffering from depression and I believe that God has created many "angels" to help those in need. Thank you again for your letter and for telling us about NAMI; it has long been shown that groups truly do help their members cope with problems and heal faster. I would encourage anyone suffering from depression to give them a call and attend a meeting.

DEAR FAMILY: I am a massage therapist in Midland and I have also dealt with severe depression. Your last article has really moved me. I have dealt with my depression for several years. I have been on meds and gone through therapy and was even hospitalized for a short period of time and it was a wonderful experience.

My heart is needing to reach out to this woman in some way. Either by being a friend, or someone biased that she can talk to and pray with, or through massage therapy. Receiving a massage helps to release endorphins in the brain that of course help you feel better. Massage can be very beneficial to someone with depression. - BEEN THERE

DEAR BEEN: Thank you for sharing your experience and another way to help us deal with depression. We have to remember that almost 21 million American adults, or about 9.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older, suffer from depression. There are many forms of help but the important thing is to take that first step and seek help from a qualified source. Thanks again for writing.